Day 29: Running, Running, Running...

I could be said to be enjoying my time here in Menageries if not for the fact that I'll have to move out soon

For some reason, the town is effectively empty today. Most of the houses don't have anyone inhabiting them, making the entire city look like it has been put in a century-deep sleep by the remnant spirit of some unknown ancient creature hell-bent on it's ambition of conquering the planet

Not only that, the catgirls I've met in the past seem not to like me as a person, even when I've used my skills on them 

The only thing they'll ask is for me to feed them tuna, pet them, give them catnips (which I discovered is this island's version of Cocaine), and to catch some mice and have a happy time with them

Using Seduction only serves to worsen that problem. Any feline that came in the general direction or just standing near my vecinity easily got into a state of intoxication that render them unable to speak aside from a few purrs

*Sigh*

I was wrong

Catgirls are overrated. 

Another thing that is overrated is fastfood in Menagerie.

As you would soon find out upon hearing this story, you'll realize that maybe Menagerie's customer service is not exactly the best on the world 

"There! It's him!"

Here I am, simply minding my own business inside this restaurant

"This is the Atlesian military. Get on the ground or get pound!"

Until some rude blokes enter preemptively and interrupt my happy time with my happy hamburger, which contained the rest of my happy little breakfast, which makes me...not very happy

Noises resounded throughout the empty place. The sound of battering ram echoed loudly as it smashed against the door in an attempt to get in

THUD

Four soldiers bust through the opened entrancewith their firearms blazing. In less than a moment, gunshot filled the silent  space

A trail of bullet hit the bar counter, shattering the glass behind me

Another hit the chairs and tables, breaking them to pieces in the process

Another whizzed by my seat, nearly going through my head

800 rounds were fired in those five seconds, all with the precision of an imperial Stormtrooper on steroid - grazing on the floor and destroying everything on their path of trajectory, as if aimed to kill every non-living factors in the bar...

Which is to say, none of them hit me

"Uhhh..."

Scratching my head, I looked around the destroyed bar

Either they have shit aim, or I'm really lucky - the latter is completely out of the question considering my endeavors in this world until now

Taking a sip of water, I observed the experienced gunmen who can shoot up an entire bar with minimal casualty walking inside

Their outfit, contrary to the Atlas designation they had claimed to be, was a pitch black that goes in contrast with the sunlight from outside. The operatives stepped inside with the gait of veteran shooters who absolutely know what they're doing

A sigh escaped my lips. I shrugged at the helplessness of the situation and once again raised the burger to my lips

"You there. Freeze or we'll shoot you"

I stopped, my meal inches away from being eaten. 

Damn it. Had I just ate this thing faster...

The three soldiers advanced swiftly, closing the distance between us to the table while carefully avoiding the various other tables on the way here, as if any slight contact with them would cause them to be instantly killed

Guys...this is a restaurant, not a high-profile criminal hideout...

"Clear" The first one said, shining his flashlight across the dusty cottage "No hidden mechamism detected. Tacticsl traps do not seem to be present"

"Clear" The second followed professionally "No Aura signature detected. Reinforcement is unlikely"

"Clear" The third one grabbed the hotdog behind the counter "The food here looks delicious. I'll give it a two star because fuck you"

Hey, that's my breakfast

Is what I would have said, if I myself is the one paying for it. For some reason the entire island's been real silent up until now

The fourth soldier advanced forward with the confidence of a natural born leader. Naturally, my gaze was drawn to him since he seems like he is the strongest with those muscle bulging beneath his tactical armor

"Are you the big guy?" I asked

"I am the one who is in charge of this operation, yes" He sneered "I admire your effort to gather information even when surrounded, criminal. But know that this is the end for you"

I'm just asking if you're heavy.

"Are you sure?"

He frowned, as if the very notion of a personal question offends his very being

"I am sure. Who else but me could be given authority over such a large-scale campaign like this?" He started bragging, causing my eyes to narrow

Big mistake.

Acting tough will only mark a target on your back. You should learn from me, who always avoid the role of main character at all cost. That's how I've been staying alive until now

That's how it's gonna stay in the future too. A coward like me is going to live peacefully at the end of it all, no question asked

"Grim. We had you surrounded" He coldly said, carefully maintaining his distance from me with the other's  rifle still aimed at my head "Drop your weapon and get on the ground. No tricks of yours can get you of this"

"But I am just having breakfast"

"Does it look like we care? Drop your weapon"

"Bruh, I am literally only holding a hamburger. It's harmles-"

"Drop your weapon"

"...Listen man, the only dangerous thing about this burger is that you'll get diabetes from overeating it"

"DROP YOUR FUCKING WEAPON!"

The hamburger was reluctantly dropped from my hand.

The deluxe, double-layered beef hamburger with two eggs, two sausages, and four pieces of deep fried bacons wrapped in an extra thick layer of creamy first-rate cheese fell from the grip of my finger and to the Earth's surface, like a droplet of water into the limitless transcendent sea that we called "life"

Through the haze of my philosophical debate, I heard the distance sound of screaming. A lesser man might have assume it was aimed at him, but not me

For some reason, the room's temperature suddenly plummeted

"Eek!" The soldier screeched

"B-boss. He's fucking monologuing!" The other two followed suit, their hands shaking while aiming their rifle at Grim "W-what should we do!?"

"Stop monologuing and get on the ground!" Veins bulging near his eyes, the operative pushed the gun against my head "Get on the ground NOW"

But what is life, but burger? The streams of ketchup that infinitely pours from one place to another are but symbolic iterations of modern people's unhealthy lifestyle, akin to an Aesop that tells of human avarice in their most trivial form

Human, by nature, are flawed. Yet through these flaws they act as sauce to the burger, complementing the flavor of the body, that is the bun, and the mind and soul, respectively to the beef and the egg and cheese - core components of the burger itself.

This tells us of the inconsequent nature, the transitory state of ephemeral concepts engraved upon our young and ultimately feeble mind within the vastness of the cosmos where knowledge upon our comprehension lies

"I say stop monologuing, you fucking dipshit!"

One of them made to hit me from behind. My [Sixth Sense] goes into overdrive as I slapped him reflexively, killing the guard in one hit

The third one reacted negatively, pulling the trigger to his gun that fired a charged shot at my head. I flipped the table up to block it. As the projectile hit it shattered, buying me time to appear behind him with a fork in my hand

Before he could react I pulled his pants down and stabbed the fork inside as deep as I can

The Atlas operative fell to the ground dead

There was a short pause of silence as we looked at the convulsing corpse with the utensil stuck base deep inside his ass

I made eye contact with the two soldiers

"..."

"..."

"Look guys. I want no trouble with the authorit-"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

They both screamed, the sound filling the empty space. All previous bravado were forgotten as the soldiers bolted for the entrance. The door quickly slammed shut, leaving me behind confused

Gunshot quickly resounded outside, followed by the sound of two bodies hitting the ground

What the hell just happened? Why are these people here and how did they find me so fast? Such thoughts poured into a pool of dread inside my stomach...coalescing further and further until only emptiness remain...which once again reminds me that I'm hungry 

Shrugging, I go behind the counter and make myself another serving of hamburger

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When I had finished eating I go outside for a walk. Because going for a walk after finishing your breakfast is a good way to start the day. It gets your blood pumping and your body more flexible in preparation of a new day

What greeted me was the corpse of the two soldiers from before lying on the ground with two holes on each of their foreheads

What in the loving fuc-

"It's him!"

A crowd of Atlas operative rushed toward me with their weapons drawn

"Protect the Lord!"

Only to be gunned down moments later as a wave of bullet hit our position. Blood and screames echoed in the air, followed by echoing beastly roars

As the military personnel fell to the ground, I blinked and checked myself

How the hell did they not hit me with that much bullets flying in the air?

Footsteps entered my auditory sense. I turned around to look at- Oh god what the fuck?

A boy, no older than 16, dropped behind me. Another followed, with numerous others jumping from the rooftop and landed before me in a kneeling position

"The Lord's Personal Protection Service reporting for duty. All unit ceased firing, for we have located him!" He spoke into his radio, nodding "Understood, we'll wait for further directives"

Hm...oh 

The small army of Grimm children gazed intently at me, all clad in black and red military outfit with the symbol of a howling wolf Grimm embroided unto their back. 

I gave a sweeping look at their weaponry or assessment, finding only cutting-edge technology in play, ranging from laser rifles, bolt blasters, rapid-firing missile guns, to even Dust-infused bayonets in their hands

They look lethal enough that even I would have a hard time against them in combat

My hand clenched. If the black uniform with the clearly Grimm-like embroidery is not a dead given, the various mutation mark on their bodies is enough an indication the danger I'm in

Because clearly, they are the Grimm I've encountered in Atlas. Considering their active hostility to the government's reign it was unlikely they're affiliated with them. That left the possibility of them being employed or organized by themselves as a criminal organization terrifyingly high

That is the conclusion that I would have came into, if the mastermind herself hadn't revealed back then that it had all been a part of her plan

Sweats started pouring down my brows

Salem. What is it that she wants from me this time? Could it be that she had once again find the need to remind me of my place? I have a bad feeling about this setup. 

Oh shit, oh fuck. The last time we had a talk it was during Atlas when I met these Grimm children, and now that I met them again, what are they planning to fo with me?

My eyes roamed to the back, and I narrowed my eyes upon seeing Cinder rushing toward me, roughly pushing and shoving through the crowd of children on her way toward the front- No, toward me

Her black hair swayed through the wind. Sharp amber eyes held a sense of urgency, as if desperate to reach me.

The killer that have no qualm committing mass murder is in desperation. The kind of desperate when you've just finished eating and see your sibling reaching halfway to the last pizza slice

In that fraction of a moment, my mind made the connection that is so bizarre in nature even I when drunk would have a hard time believing

'No' My mouth was dried 'Fuck this'

Cinder was desperate to reach me. That could only mean one thing

I have fucked up, and now she's been tasked by Salem to kill me. An assassin specifically sent with the order to eliminate one of her greater nuisance

.....I started running

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"Wah, he started running!"

(Y/n) started running

Indeed.

He initiated the tactical maneuver known as "running"

The Lord had took off at an impressive speed, leaving a cloud of dust and a sonic explosion in his wake. 

Naturally, the children were impressed with the level of fitnesse he had just displayed which could have put most Huntsmen to shame, but it is only expected of their lore to display such awe-inspiring physical capabilities

Many of them reacted instinctively started pursuing, blurring into shadows flickering across the street. The others, however, are hesitating. Guns by their sides, they are at a loss at what to do

Because, at the moment where he turned away, lord (Y/n) looked as if he was trying to distance himself from them. The hesitance in his eyes is distinctively clear to them who could sense the negative emotions boiling inside human beings. it does not take a genius to see why

If they are seen publicly worshipping him, the Hybrids may risk the lord's plan getting revealed, and the government sending a crackdown on their location. They're already intruding upon his manipulation of events by entering Menagerie. Is it a risk they are willing to take if that means earning his ire?

The one on the lead was pushed aside, revealing a furious Cinder behind him

"You idiots" She hissed "After him. Does it looks like he wants to run away from us?"

"Bu-but he was hesitant" A Grimm girl protested, tears of pain and sadness surfacing at the edge of her eyes "I would not be able to stomach it if the Lord's plan were to go awry because of us"

"Fool!" Cinder smacked her collegues on the cheek . She snarled at the astonished looks the other sent her "Did you think such insignificant factors would render his plans useless in any way at all? 

She turned to the others with a look that could turn water into ice

"Would you place yourself as important enough to be an accountability in His magnificent, monumental, grand plan for this world? I don't rememebr allowing that kind of arrogance in our ranks"

The children murmured among themselves. That is not disagreeable

If he wants, Lord (Y/n) could easily drive them away and earn the admiration of the island's inhabitant for defending against their invasion. The fact that he hasn't done so can only mean their presence here is required, and that he already has a plan in store for them

The Lord must have done so because he wants them to follow him. Yet he still hesitated because he cares for their well-being. To think that they could serve a Grimm so compassionate in nature...

Admiration welled up inside the Grimm Hybrid. They readied their guns and ran after their young Lord.

With all the citizens gone, Menagerie is now a ghost town. They can mobilize their force in the street without care for stealth. Some dashed from rooftops to rooftops, others chose the ground, others choose the shortcut and sneaked into valleys so they can catch him faster

Excitement could be seen within the children's face

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Why?

Just...why? What kind of horrible crime did I commit in my past life to be deserving of this?

The wind rushed past my face, ruffling my hair in the hair. Behind me, I could feel the presence of death from those things that are pursuing me. Dressed in full tactical gears with guns strong enough to blow me to pieces, their footsteps grew ever closer. The footsteps of the little reapers aiming for my life

An ember-eyed girl lead the charge with enthusiasm. Cinder alone was the most intimidating of all. Nothing beats being chased around by a young girl with a big ass cannon in her hand and that eager look in her eyes

The cannon that I gave her out of a whim

'Even when I had freed you guys. Even when I am wanted because of you guys. Even when I have fled Atlas because of you guys...why the hell are you still haunting me?'

I didn't do anything wrong. I did not do anything to warrant me this level of bullshit

[Nightshade]

My form blurred into that of a shadow just as I turned around the corner. What I hadn't expected was for them to turn around the corner at the same direction as me, their gazes locking into my form

Wait, why the hell are they still seeing me?

It was then that I came to the realization. Thermovision. Being Grimms gives you the ability to detect life and heat from other species. This feature of ours is often overlooked because our senses for negative emotions are often more sensitive. But ultimately they are the reason why the Grimms are apex predators among the animal world

Without hesitation I sped up

"Ah, he is running faster"

"He must be trying to test our physical capabilities, guys. Let's show him how far we have gotten since then!"

What the fuck are they talking about? I barely heard the Grimm hybrid's words as a blur passed right in front of me. By instinct I halted and flipped over the offending obtrusion, landing on the opposite side of the road

"Please wait!"

As I stopped, I came face to face with Cinder landing in front of me. "Coincidentally", her cannon just happen to point in my direction, hazardouly close to where my face is supposed to be

"There are a few things I've been meaning to say to you...." Her mouth parted, form shivering in seeming nervousness of her supposed kill. It's probably her first time doing this, as the older Cinder in Canon wouldn't give a shit burning me to ash

Fear replaced by anxiety. Anxiety into resignation

"I know"

The little girl's eyes widened in shock

"You...you know?"

"Indeed. I have known from the beginning- and already suspected it to be the case before that. Shouldn't it be painfully obvious?" I chuckled bitterly, ignoring the calm understanding in her eyes

I know you want to kill me. I know you're Salem's spy from our first meeting. I know I'm honestly stupid for pegging you as an innocent girl that day. I know my actions are the cause of my current predicament, and that I should accept it like the dumbass I am

"But it is not the time" I spread my arm "At least, I don't think it is. There are still many things that you have yet to complete"

"Things...I have yet to done?"

Yeah, like instead of killing me you could entirely go ham on another poor chap. Hell, maybe even commit genocide. I sure as hell don't care as long as you don't drag me into that bullshit

"You still have a long life ahead of you. Until you can prove yourself capable making the correct choice, do not waste your time meeting me"

...I'm not ready to die yet. Life is too beautiful for me to give up here

[ID Create]

A pitch-black portal opened behind me, and I gave fell back into it, watching as she reached out a hand forward in desperation, a shout just at the tip of her tongue

Just as fast as it appeared, the gate closed off, leaving the girl alone in the middle of the street

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I fell down the water, using my feet to float on the sea as I immediately stood up.

Inside the confinement of this place, no one can enter just like no one can leave without my permission. It's a reality only accessible by me, separate from the laws of the world. As such, one can not simply chase after me here unless they have the ability to manipulate the space and time around them

And I doubt someone like that exist in Remnant

My first thought had been "Phew. I lost them"

My second thought is "Now what should I do?"

"Back so soon, (Y/n)?"

I gazed upon Helen and Nightbringer, who are still practicing by themselves. Much of their clothes are torn, but fortunately, I don't have to waste money on buying them new clothes, as their outfits are already part of their body. That means it will heal in time

"Some business comes up" My voice was clipped in reply. I stood up and dusted my clothe

I don't know if I should trust them or not. As friendly - or neutral - as the two of them have been with me, I'm not sure if that is out of genuine feelings or merely an act of affection toward their perceived "Benefactors"

These are Grimm we're talking about. My impression of them may have gone up, but that doesn't mean I'm not paranoid about them anymore- especially after that recent incident

"Have you guys done practicing yet?"

"We just done sparring actually" Nightbringer chimed in "By the way, we're talking about how you're really the Grimm King in disg-"

Helen's clamped around the Leviathan's mouth. She gave the other girl a meaningful look that elicits a sheepish smile in response

Meanwhile, I am still contemplating how to escape this situation. Menagerie was somehow invaded by the Grimm Hybrid who infiltrated them. The Atlas force that was hunting me down suffers from casualties. And I am stuck in the middle of it all, with another homicidal army of Grimm at my back

Where should I escape now? Vale? Vacuo? Mistral? The unknown continents? The Grimm land?

Is escaping even an option at all?

"(Y/n), there's...actually something I want to show you..." My attention was drawn to her. Helen's hand snaked into her inner shirt, before fishing out a book

It was a leather-bound tome, locked with a metal lace around it's back and painted black all over. Its design was mundane and plain, yet at the same time radiating an aura of power that suffocates those who stare at it for too long.

Simple, elegant, yet powerful. The book looks as though it's hand-written and stored away by a regal person. A king, perhaps. But the question is why she is handing it to me

"It's something I saw you dropped. We think it's something that belong to you"

"But I never bring a book with me-"

"I think you would like to examine it for yourself" The object was pushed further forward, her outstretched arm not giving in to my attempt to put her down. With a sigh, I realized it probably isn't something important

I hesitantly reached out my hand, feeling its cover's texture as I wrapped my fingers around it.

[Dark Wisdom] (Divine)

- A book foretelling the journey of a Man to a King. A King to a God. And a God to something more. A tale of humble discovery and exciting adventures from a time long forgotten. Only one can utilize this book to its full potential

But...somehow...it feels familiar

Before I can make a remark, a strange feeling rose inside my stomach. I stumbled back as the book began unlatching itself. Magical runes floated out and surrounded me. As they glowed brighter, the runes encapsulated my form and began merging with my body

Requirement completed

Identification match: 99.996%

Spell: [New Game Plus] had been activated

"wait" I stammered, trying to throw the thing away. But it is futile, the book of Dark Wisdom was stuck in my hand like glue had been poured on it. All the while, the glow on it does not dissipate but only intensify the longer it went on, until it enveloped my panicking form

Discarding Save File 2...

The world around me blurred, as though reality itself was slowly being erased in favor of a new one.

Loading Save File 1...

Activating New Game+ Character Save Data

[New Avatar: Dark God] restored

"What the fuck?!"

I growled as the pain washed over me. Power darker than darkness filled my veins, turning my blood into a pitch black color as they bleed from every pores on my body. My eys glowed a crimson blood red, twisting pools of pain and hatred forming into human-like irises as black as the night 

Slowly, my skin cracked

Next up, my blood boiled

Pain seeped through every ofirice of my body, seemingly invade every nook and crannies. The corrupted body hosting my soul parted open, as the darkness poured in

It was so much to take in

Helplessness filled me as the power inside erupted

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ROOOOOOAAAAAAARRRR

The water's surface rippled as zephyrs whipped through the air in walls of wind. Their clothes fluttered from the force as they dug their feet into the ground, resisting the change of pace within the surrounding pressure

"..." Wind whipped through her face, drawing deep cut on her cheeks, yet Helen remained still. Her eyes transfixed on the sight of her leader as he bent over. Darkness writhe around him like an aura of eternal despair

At this moment, he looks...

Beautiful

Magnificent

Like a demon from her wettest dream come true. This Grimm is undoubtedly their destined King

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[Avatar: Dark God] had been recovered. (0.0002% unlocked)

[Emperor's Aura] had evolved

[Greater Aura Manipulation] had been maxed out

[Greater Blood Manipulation] had been maxed out

[Greater Shadow Manipulation] had been maxed out

You have evolved: [Alpha Beowolf] => [Black Hunter Beowolf]

You have evolved: [Greater Vampire] => [Vampire Lord]

Eventually, the pain subsided, the black marks disappeared, leaving me behind looking as normal-looking as before. Yet I know that's not the case

For once, power overflowed from my body. My fist closed and opened, each flex enough to send shockwave of power rippling through my body

I flexed my muscle. No pain remain. It was surreal. It's almost like this is a dream

I turned to the slime with cautious eyes

"Alright, what the fuck was that, Helen?"

My former packmate, in turn, bowed deeply, much to my surprise

"That was a Relic left behind by the great Grimm King from a forgotten era" She explained, her hands waving around excitedly "He was rumored to be the Grimm King. The creator of the Grimm. The Allfather. The first of our kind who waged the flag of revolution against the Gods. The book you just absorbed was the remnant of power he still possess"

That...That explains nothing

If she knows it was his, why hand the thing to me!?

"At first I've been suspecting you to be him. I've had my doubts, but through your actions - and how absolutely ruthless they are, I've came to realize you are never like any other Grimm. No, you are above them" She speaks with such feverish devotion that I'm starting to get scared

"Please, oh lord. Bring your salvation upon this world and restore the darkness that once be"

A feeling of calmness washed over me

I...see. Now I know. From how strangely silent she is on occasions, as well as how the other Grimms are wary of her, the answer, elusive as it was, has been hiding in front of my eyes all this time

Helen is mentally retarded.

No, it's not that. To say one is retarded would imply intellectual defectiveness. I cannot in good reasons call her that since she's shown the ability to function independently and is responsible for many plans laid out in the past

She just lack common sense, more so than your average Grimm. Alistair's warned me before about how dangerous an individual she is, and it clearly shows in action just now

What kind of Grimm tried to kill their leader with a cursed item like that?

Me? Lord? I haven't even finish college yet. My maturity and intelligence is on par with that of a highschooler, and I never went to the gym. I'm so weak you could call me a noodle in my past life

So it is revealed. The slime who I've been treating as a part of my pack until now is unstable. She's an anomaly whose thought process can not be deciphered due to how alien they are

The revelation revealed. I did the only thing I could think of

A portal appeared behind me. I ran through it at top speed

"What? He started running"

"He started running!?"

Two voices resounded behind my back

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It is a normal conception that only weak people ran away. In the world of nature, the weak is the prey, and the prey is helpless toward those who hunts them. Thus it could be concluded that running from something is the proof of one's cowardice, and to an extent, their lack of ability

"Fuck this. Fuck this. Fuck this. Fuck this"

The Atlesians are hounding on my ass. The Grimm had found me. The closest allies I have turned out to be a version of Tyrian on steroid

I'm done with this bullshit

Seeing the approaching sight of the sea, I take a sigh in relief. I vaulted over some other obstacles and continued running top speed at it with nothing but the thought of escaping this island on my mind

"FREEEEEDOOOOOOOMMMM, BITCH!"

With a leap of my hind leg, I jumped into the salty cool water of the sea and swam away from the island

In the end, even Menagerie turned out to be too much for someone like me

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The end of Day 29

I'm excited to get back into this series, but oh my god is it hard to keep track of 50+ chapter's worth of storyline when you've been gone on for too long on it

This actually makes sense because Pyrrha is dead